To make everyday life with a dog easier, you can now make use of many aids. Whether for life at home or safe transport in the car – the choice is enormous. However, it needs a little training for your dog to accept these valuable aids without any problems. Getting the dog used to the transport box and dog ramp is essential and, if you are lucky, simply using it is usually not enough. Instead, it can also scare your dog and lead to avoidance behavior. We’ll give you tips on how to approach the subject of dog ramps and transport boxes.
The Dog Ramp
There are different types of dog ramps. They help your dog to get into the car better and more gently or to negotiate stairs. Whether a model made of wood or metal, foldable or to slide: the specialist trade offers the right tool for every application. A dog ramp can not only be applied if your dog already has limitations or complaints of the musculoskeletal system. Instead, you can teach your dog how to get in and out gently at an early stage and thus make it easier. Dog ramps simplify everyday life, especially for large dog breeds, and is accessible on the joints.
When buying the dog ramp, consider your dog’s weight, the width of the ramp, and the conditions of your car. With large dogs, the ramp must be exceptionally resilient and ideally a little wider. The length of the ramp is also crucial. For example, if you have an SUV, a short ramp is very impractical. The entry angle would be very steep in this case. A steep entry angle is challenging for the dog to climb. So the longer the ramp, the shallower the angle. The long ramp helps your four-legged friend get in and out, especially if your dog is already a senior or suffers from certain illnesses.
Getting Familiar To The Dog Ramp
So that your dog can use the ramp in a relaxed and easy way, you should train it in as small steps as possible. Each dog is to be considered individually. Some dogs learn more quickly to climb and descend the ramp as a matter, while other dogs are a little more insecure and need more time. You can start the corresponding training in peace at home in the apartment or the garden.
Step 1
It is best to first lay the unfolded ramp flat on the ground. After all, this big something is still new territory for your four-legged friend. Make sure that the ramp is firm and stable and that it cannot slip. Otherwise, this could frighten or unsettle your dog. First, let your dog examine the ramp thoroughly. With a lot of praise and the use of treats, you can confirm your dog while looking at and sniffing the ramp.
Step 2
If your dog does not show any stressful behavior, you can now start to lead him straight over it. It is best to train from the start that your dog has to run directly towards the ramp. After all, he shouldn’t just jump onto the ramp from the side later or jump back down halfway. Make sure that your dog strolls and in a controlled manner over the ramp. If you lure it with your hand or treats it, hold the hand very low and move it forward only slowly. So your dog can see where he is stepping and learns to master the ramp in a coordinated manner.
If that goes well, you can go a step further. Lean one side of the ramp on something higher so that you imitate a slight incline. Now lead your dog both up and down. It is also crucial to approach the ramp as straight as possible and at a controlled pace. Likewise, let your dog run straight at the end as you descend. Running straight on the ramp minimizes the risk of injury.
Step 3
If the process works confidently and safely during this exercise, you can now lean the ramp against the trunk at the back.
Now a lot of calm and patience is needed again. Finally, the angle of the incline is different again. If your dog is self-confident, he will likely have understood this step quickly as well. If he is somewhat unsure, give him enough time to master this at his own pace.
A little tip: If you have a car, the training can take a little longer. You may also need a different ramp than for the trunk. After all, the car door doesn’t open that far. The ramp is placed against the seat, which makes it more unsafe to use.
